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Updated: Feb 17, 2026

Phase Behavior of Charged Vesicles Under Symmetric and Asymmetric Solution Conditions Monitored with Fluorescence Microscopy
Published on: October 24, 2017
Microphase Separation in Oil-Water Mixtures Containing Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Ions
Nikos Tasios1, Sela Samin2, René van Roij2
1Soft Condensed Matter, Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University, Princetonplein 1, 3584 CC Utrecht, Netherlands.
Abstract:
We develop a lattice-based Monte Carlo simulation method for charged mixtures capable of treating dielectric heterogeneities. Using this method, we study oil-water mixtures containing an antagonistic salt, with hydrophilic cations and hydrophobic anions. Our simulations reveal several phases with a spatially modulated solvent composition, in which the ions partition between water-rich and water-poor regions according to their affinity. In addition to the recently observed lamellar phase, we find tubular and droplet phases, reminiscent of those found in block copolymers and surfactant systems. Interestingly, these structures stem from ion-mediated interactions, which allows for tuning of the phase behavior via the concentrations, the ionic properties, and the temperature.
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